“A-1′s style has a similar kind of funny, free-for-all feel as post-Mac Dre rappers like [Roach] Gigz, but has a sly rap style that is distinctly his own.” – The FADER
“Easily one of the illest emcees I’ve heard over the last few years.” – OkayPlayer
One of Thizzler.com‘s 2012 Bay Area Freshmen 10
You may know A-1 from his internet-famous debut mixtape After School Special, or his equally well-received 2011 follow-up The Book Of Adam. After releasing his latest mixtape The Thurl Tape last fall, A-1 is back with a new video. The video for “Retinas,” featuring singer Xiomara, tells a narrative of a relationship’s gradual descent and eventual collapse with A-1 rapping all the verses but speaking from the point of view of himself for the first half of the song and from her side for the hook and final verse. The video was made in San Francisco as part of the annual Music Video Race, where 20 artists and 20 filmmakers are paired up to create all-new music videos in one weekend.
Directed by Alexander Weinberg, the video shows the rapper acting out an “abstract representation of the story.” The theme of the track is something A-1 knows about from firsthand experience. “I wrote this based on a real experience I went through. The song tells the story of a man who is in a good relationship with a great woman but sabotages it because he’s insecure about himself, his career, and his future” the rapper explains. “She didn’t do anything to deserve being broken up with after devoting so much time and energy to nurture their relationship and is resentful.”
Watch the video here: http://youtu.be/V2s5jOsf5mw
Please contact Michelle or Dan if interested in talking with A-1.
Born Adam Traore, a first generation US citizen to West African and Italian parents, A-1‘s music is constructed around vivid stories of growing up in The City while searching for happiness and self awareness. After the release of After School Special, a mixtape based on 90s television shows, he gained a fan base through internet buzz while still living on his friend’s couch. Soon after, he released his follow-up The Book Of Adam which was received so well, he quit his day job the day after the listening party. With 2012’s The Thurl Tape, A-1 has been acknowledged by publications such as the FADER and Complex, and was voted onto Thizzler‘s 2012 Bay Area Freshmen 10 List. Equipped with a heart filled with passion, an insatiable desire for creativity, discerning eyes and ears for quality, and a plan to spread his music to as many people as possible, A-1 is poised to be the first name in music lover’s iPods in the very near future.
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“Retinas”: http://youtu.be/V2s5jOsf5mw
“Summertime Sadness” Remix: https://soundcloud.com/adamraps/summertime-sadness-prod-ryan
“The Ritual”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI2UfwopCI0